Meaning

noun any distinct time period in a sequence of events

noun a specific identifiable position in a continuum or series or especially in a process

noun a large platform on which people can stand and can be seen by an audience

originFrom Middle English stage, from Old French estage (“dwelling, residence; position, situation, condition”), from Old French ester (“to be standing, be located”). Cognate with Old English stæþþan (“to make staid, stay”), Old Norse steðja (“to place, provide, confirm, allow”), Old English stede (“state, status, standing, place, station, site”). More at stead. Doublet of étage.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0